Pedernales River Flood - August 17, 2007
The ground literally moved under my feet from the force of this much water moving over the falls. I was awestruck while shooting some 493 images of this flood. Being able to stand peacefully, just steps away from that much power was bordering on the unbelievable. Images taken Friday, August 17, 2007 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Peak flow rate (while I was shooting these images) was 84,000 cubic feet per second (approximately 2 acre-feet/second). Flow was 700 cfs at 9pm, just 12 hours before this photo was taken. It rained 11 inches overnight in Fredericksburg and Harper, Texas -- the upper part of the Pedernales River's drainage basin. No rainfall was recorded in the park during the 24 hours preceding this flash flood event.
My father who lived on the Pedernales River in Stonewall, TX called me at 7:30 a.m. to tell me that the river had just reached the 2nd highest level he had ever seen at his property. He thought if I left Austin immediately that I could reach the Pedernales Falls State Park at the crest of the flood. He was correct!
Read MoreMy father who lived on the Pedernales River in Stonewall, TX called me at 7:30 a.m. to tell me that the river had just reached the 2nd highest level he had ever seen at his property. He thought if I left Austin immediately that I could reach the Pedernales Falls State Park at the crest of the flood. He was correct!
